Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has had to withdraw from the Springbok Rugby Championship squad as the result of a knee injury sustained in training on Tuesday.

According to SA Rugby, Ralepelle’s knee strain will keep him out of action for at least the first two tests against Argentina – as a result, he’s been removed from the squad and replaced by Western Province hooker Tiaan Liebenberg, who already trained with the squad in Cape Town this morning.

It’s not yet clear who will replace Liebenberg in Western Province’s Currie Cup side to take on Griquas this weekend. Captain Deon Fourie could, of course, move back into the number 2 jersey from open side flank, but given the drastic shortage of fit loose forward options in the Cape at present, that move could cause further problems too.

Ah nice. Now we have the dirtiest player in SA Rugby in the squad. Fatso Liebenberg doesn’t add any skill to our Bok team and he is a posterboy for bad influence. Hairpulling, tripping, hitting… I would have preferred Deon Fourie as a call-up.

It’s sad to see that the Bulls with injuries are Spies and Ralepelle in stead of Kirchner and Morne. Why is it always the crap players having injury-free careers?

Comment 5, posted at 15.08.12 12:20:03 by TRF_Ezequiel

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : what’s the chances that he will still be available to play for province if not picked?